Odessa edged out Midland for the nation’s largest percentage increase in rent during the month of September.

Rents increased in Odessa by 26.5 percent compared to September 2017, according to RentCafe, an online apartment guide. That increase topped Midland’s 25.4 percent. The next highest hike was 12.0 percent in Reno, Nevada. Rounding out the top 5 increases across the United States were 9.5 percent in Peoria, Arizona, and 9.2 percent in Lancaster, California. In Texas, it was more common to see rent increases from 1 to 3 percent.

Not only was the rent increasing year over year at a higher percentage, but the total rivaled just about any city in the state. Midland recorded the highest average rent ($1,559). Odessa was second with an average rent of $1,356 a month. Both cities topped more metropolitan areas, including Austin ($1,347), Frisco ($1,334), Richardson ($1,306), Plano ($1,278) and McKinney ($1,241). The average rent in the largest metropolitan areas included: $1,178 in Dallas, $1,008 in Houston and $993 in San Antonio.

If there was good news for both Odessa and Midland, it was that the average actually dropped compared to August. RentCafe reported a 2.3 percent decline in Midland month-over-month and a 0.8 percent decline in Odessa.

The website reports that the national average rent was $1,412 in September 2018, up by 3 percent ($41) year-over-year. Also, rents increased in 93 percent of the nation’s biggest 252 cities in September, stayed flat in 6 percent of cities and dropped in only 1 percent of cities compared to August 2017.